C avernous Sinus Involvement of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Lacrimal Gland

ABSTRACT

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is slow growing, but locally aggressive and thus prone to recurrence with late distant metastasis. Intracranial involvement of adenoid cystic carcinoma is rare but most of theses cases are thought to extend directly or by perineural spread from lesions in adjacent structures, such as the paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, salivary glands, or from the lacrimal glands. And hematogenous metastasis is rare. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal glands is known to comprise 30% of epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland, but its cavernous sinus involvement with perineural extension has never been reported in Korea. A cavernous sinus mass was found in a 43-year-old man presenting ophthalmoplegia and facial palsy. The mass was later diagnosed as metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland, whose size was decreased after radiation. Thus we report the case with a brief review of literature.